Restore Jupiter Inlet

50-Year Jupiter Resident • PHD Fluid Dynamics & Civil Engineer • 40 Years living on the Loxahatchee River • 1,000+ Inlet Transits

See Ed's Video Overview

VOTE ED KAWECKI

FOR JUPITER INLET DISTRICT

Vote During the Primary Election- AUGUST 18, 2026 or Request an absentee ballot by Aug 6th

About Ed

A Lifetime on the Water. The Credentials to Fix the Inlet.

Ed Kawecki has called Jupiter home for 50 years and has lived on the Loxahatchee River for four decades — transiting the Jupiter Inlet more than 1,000 times. He has witnessed the channel conditions deteriorating and is running for Jupiter Inlet District Board Seat 4 August 18 2026 to restore the Jupiter Inlet.

Ed’s career at Pratt & Whitney and Power Systems Manufacturing — where he served as Director of the Chief Engineer’s Office — gave him a rigorous engineering mindset and extensive experience managing complex, high-stakes technical projects. He holds a PhD in Fluid Mechanics from NYU and is a retired licensed Professional Engineer (Civil). He is also a longtime guide with the Everglades Audubon Society, reflecting his deep commitment to protecting the natural environment he calls home. This background makes him ideal for Jupiter Inlet District Board. Ed's technical acumen, bias for action and collaborative approach to driving change is exactly what the Jupiter Inlet District Board needs now.

50 Years

Jupiter resident

1,000+

Inlet transits

PhD

Fluid Mechanics, Civil Engineer, NYU

The Challenge

A Growing Crisis at the Jupiter Inlet

The Jupiter Inlet's offshore ebb shoal — a massive, shifting sandbar — has grown to dangerous proportions. Boaters, charter captains, and recreational mariners face an unmarked, ever-changing channel that poses serious navigation hazards. This is not a minor inconvenience. It is a public safety emergency that has been building for years.

Navigation Danger

The main channel shifts constantly across the ebb shoal, leaving boaters to guess at safe passage. Groundings, vessel damage, and dangerous surf crossings are increasingly common.

Down-Drift Beach Loss

Sand trapped at the inlet fails to nourish beaches to the south. Shoreline erosion accelerates, threatening both natural habitat and private property along the coast.

Saltwater Intrusion

Altered inlet dynamics may be increasing saltwater penetration into the Loxahatchee River, threatening the delicate freshwater ecosystem and the habitat that depends on it.

Rising Dredging Costs

The sand-trap and maintenance dredging cycles are becoming more expensive and less effective. Why should we spend $3-4 million/yr of taxpayer funds and still have an unusable inlet?

The Evidence

The Ebb Shoal has fundamentally changed

Safe Navigation with limited maintenance is possible. Evidence from 1996–2019 vs now.

Ed's Plan

A Practical 6-Point Plan for the Jupiter Inlet

Ed Kawecki's approach is grounded in engineering discipline, environmental stewardship, and fiscal accountability — not politics. Here is exactly what he will prioritize on the Jupiter Inlet District.

1

Near-Term Navigation Relief

Evaluate and advance dredging of a relief channel through the offshore ebb shoal to restore safe passage for boaters and charter captains — now, not years from now.

2

Restore the Inlet

From 1996-2020 the Inlet access was open with an average depth of 12' without dredging the shoal. Ed wants to restore it to this condition. The Inlet and Loxahatchee River were in balance at this time: Safe use of the inlet, limited saltwater intrusion, full access for bait and life to enter and exit the inlet.

3

Manage Down-Drift Sand Movement

Actively manage sand transport south of the inlet and coordinate beach renourishment needs across Palm Beach County's coastline with a systematic, evidence-based approach.

4

Long-Term Sand Management Strategy

Develop a comprehensive littoral sand management strategy for the entire inlet system — one that balances navigation, beach health, and habitat protection over decades, not budget cycles.

5

Local Dredging Capability

Evaluate the feasibility of more responsive, locally-controlled dredging capacity by examining proven models like Hillsboro Inlet — to reduce dependence on expensive contracted mobilizations.

6

Technical Discipline & Fiscal Responsibility

Insist on rigorous contractor oversight, transparent reporting, and engineering accountability at every stage. Taxpayer dollars must deliver real, measurable results at the inlet.

Why Ed

New Challenges Require New Solutions

Engineering Rigor

  • PHD in Fluid Mechanics- NYU
  • Professional Civil Engineer
  • Lifelong Career managing large teams who execute complex technical projects.
  • Able to assess and hire the best Engineers.
  • Collaborative Leadership Style that's needed to get State and Federal permitting agencies on board with his plan.


Local Knowledge, Deeply Earned

Four decades on the Loxahatchee River and 1,000+ personal inlet transits give Ed something no outside consultant can replicate: an intimate, real-time understanding of how the inlet behaves season to season, year to year.

Environmental Commitment

As a longtime Everglades Audubon leader, Ed understands that safe navigation and a healthy ecosystem are not competing goals — they require each other. His plan reflects both priorities.

Endorsements

Voices from the Community

Captains, conservationists, engineers, and waterfront business owners support Ed's candidacy because they know the inlet — and they know Ed.

John M. — Jupiter

"I know how unpredictable and dangerous the inlet can be, even for experienced captains. A well maintained inlet supports our coastal lifestyle and economy, while honoring the deep connection so many of us have to the water"

Karen G. - Tequesta

"This isn't a big boat or small boat isssue. Most of the incidents in the inlet have involved smaller center consoles. Frequent groundings, boats damaged or flipped. We are all affected by the poor condition of the inlet. We should be able to head offshore for a day of fishing in moderate weather without risking the safety of our families"

Scott M. — Jupiter

"The Inlet is a hazard now. Vast sums of money are spent on real estate, recreation, restaurants & bars, retail stores and services. The decision to live and spend here, rather than elsewhere, is almost entirely dependent on the Jupiter Inlet for the majority of us."

Get Involved

Join the Campaign

The Jupiter Inlet and Loxahatchee River affect every boater, every beach-goer, every river resident, and every taxpayer in our community. Ed Kawecki needs volunteers, neighbors, and engaged citizens to help carry this message to every dock, marina, and front door in Jupiter.

Volunteer With Us

We need help with canvassing, phone banking, event setup, and community outreach. Every hour you give makes a difference in reaching Jupiter's voters before November 2026.

Canvassing — Walk neighborhoods and talk to voters directly

Phone Banking — Connect with registered voters from home

Event Help — Support fundraisers and community meetings

Follow on Social Media

Attend a JID Board Meeting

Public presence matters. Join Ed at the next Jupiter Inlet District Board Meeting and show commissioners that this community is watching and engaged.

"Inlet Ed" Kawecki

Jupiter Inlet District — Seat 4 — August 18, 2026

Email

Inletkawecki@gmail.com

Need an Abesentee Ballot?

Request an Absentee Ballot by Aug 6th at www.votepalmbeach.gov

Jupiter, Florida

Proudly serving the Jupiter Inlet District community — Palm Beach County, Florida.

Authorized by Ed Kawecki for Jupiter Inlet District, Seat 4.

To verify your voter registration and confirm eligibility to vote in the Jupiter Inlet District race, visit the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections at pbcelections.org. This site does not constitute legal or financial advice. All contributions subject to Florida campaign finance law.

Restore Jupiter Inlet